Outdoors for All: 42 organisations speak for ‘millions of people’

Running Industry Alliance (RIA) announced its support of Outdoors for All, A Collaborative Manifesto, in February. RIA Co-Lead Rebecca Richardson headed to the Houses of Parliament yesterday 6th March to represent RIA + Members as part of forty-two leading organisations joining together for a parliamentary event to celebrate the #OutdoorsForAll manifesto.

The event was held at the Houses of Parliament, and sponsored by Tracey Crouch MP and Kim Leadbeater MP.

Both the Secretary of State RT Hon Steve Barclay and Shadow Minister for Nature & Rural Affairs Toby Perkins MP, spoke at the event.

Mr Barclay said it is of “great value” and the “right thing to do” for people to spend more time outdoors to stay healthy. He said the government is looking at “more permissive access” where landowners are incentivised “to open up their land and waterways”.

Mr Perkins, who is the Labour MP for Chesterfield, said the manifesto was “important” and the passion of every organisation will “drive the agenda on”.

During his speech, he said the Labour Party would make sure we all have a right to “responsible access to nature and people from every background can enjoy to the full.” He added that the Environment Land Management scheme was “vitally important” in helping farmers be part of helping people to responsibly access nature. Mr Perkins said Labour shared the government’s aim of ensuring the public lives within a 15-minute walk of woodlands, wetlands, parks and rivers. However, he added about 20 million people currently don’t have that access.

Ben Seal, head of access and environment at British Canoeing, said time spent outdoors, in green and blue spaces, is “precious for physical and mental wellbeing”. He said: “The 42 organisations came together to create Outdoors for All. We represent millions of members of the public. This is our sector speaking with a collective voice.”

Ms Leadbeater, is the Labour MP for Batley and Spen, and the chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Sport. She said Outdoor for All was “everything she believes in” and sport and recreation was “always the answer”. In her speech she said we have a duty, together to tackle health issues, build better communities and combat loneliness. Ms Leadbeater shares her passion for sport with Tracey Crouch, MP for Conservative MP for Chatham and Aylesford.

Ms Crouch said “access is really important” and time outdoors exercising helped her through her cancer journey. She added the Outdoors For All alliance “totally works” in delivering a single message. “We need to get out there and find those people who hard to reach communities and low income groups, something I’m passionate about.”

Click here to read the full article about RIA supporting the manifesto and with further details about Outdoors for All

‘Outdoors For All’ is supported by 42 organisations:
British Canoeing, British Mountaineering, British Cycling, The British Horse Society, The British Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association, The Bat Conservation Trust, British Orienteering, Campaign For National Parks, The Camping and Caravanning Club, Canal & Rivers Trust, CPRE, Cycle UK, Disabled Ramblers, Endurance GB, Friends of the Earth, Froglife, GB Outrigger, Intelligent Health, Hayfield Kinder Trespass Group, The Land Trust, Mountain Training England, Mountain Training Wales, National Trails UK, National Trust, Open Spaces Society, Outdoor Industries Association, The Outdoor Swimming Society, The Outward Bound Trust, Plantlife, Peoples Trust For Endangered Species, Ramblers, Right to Roam Campaign, Running Industry Alliance, Royal Yachting Association, Sport & Recreation Alliance, Surfers Against Sewage, Sustrans, Swim England, The Wildlife Trusts, Trail Riders Fellowship, UK Mountain Bike Trail Alliance.

Photo caption (left to right): Andrew Denton, CEO at Outdoor Industries Association; Ben Seal, Head of Access and Environment at British Canoeing; Rebecca (Becs) Richardson, Co-Lead of Running Industry Alliance (RIA); Andy Green from SportPursuit and OIA Development Board Chair; Sam Fernando from Keela Outdoors and OIA Vice Chair; Liz Beverley from Ordnance Survey and OIA Development Board Vice Chair.